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Former rivals Lockheed and Sikorsky partner for chopper contract

Former rivals Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky announced Monday that they will
partner to bid for a contract to build a new fleet of presidential helicopters.

Connecticut-based Sikorsky will take on the role of the prime contractor with
its H-92 medium lift helicopter, while Lockheed Martin will provide and
integrate the necessary systems for the presidential helicopter.

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Lockheed and Sikorsky went head to head five years ago for a much-coveted
contract to build a new fleet of Marine One helicopters. At the time, Lockheed
Martin partnered with helicopter-maker AgustaWestland to win the contract for
the VH-71 presidential helicopter replacement program.

The price tag for the canceled VH-71 rose from an estimated $6.5 billion to
$13 billion in part because of growing technological requirements from the
Marine One Squadron, which flies the presidential helicopters.

Now the Pentagon is analyzing alternatives for the replacement of the
decades-old fleet of presidential helicopters. Sikorsky built the current fleet
of helicopters — the VH-3D and VH-60N — that fly the president and other VIPs.

The Navy, which manages the program, also has issued a request to the industry for
information to restart the bidding process and also help inform the analysis of
alternatives.

Lockheed and Sikorsky on Monday jointly submitted a response to the Navy’s
request for information. The document details how a Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin
team would design and manufacture the H-92 helicopter with integrated systems
for the “Marine One” mission, according to a press release from the companies.